One of the biggest obstacles people seem to face when dealing with professional handicappers is trust. Who is to blame them with all the carnival barking that goes on at certain sites. I don't blame them. But, for what it's worth in my opinion if you want folks to take you seriously you must exhibit the willingness and ability to admit when you're wrong. I am not saddled with a monster ego that prohibits me from admitting wrong calls. I had a subscriber single star last week on the Toledo Rockets against Mizzou. Why you ask? Because every sense of apprehension know permeated from the Tiger camp. The staff was concerned, very concerned that the Tigers were going in there taking the Rockets too lightly. They had handled them with relative ease the year before and coaches can talk or yell until they are blue in the face but kids are hard to reach sometimes. Gee, what a shock. I felt the Tigers were asking for trouble and very well might get it. Turns out the Rockets were simply over matched and it showed.
I have stated before and although most disagree I will stand by my statement that I feel from a talent standpoint this years Tigers are at least equal or quite possibly stronger than the team last year that shocked the SEC and nation. What I heard was missing was a true leader to emerge with the departure of Michael Sam and Henry Josey. Those types of things are intangibles that just have to evolve on their own and in their own time table. Leadership cannot be manufactured. Well, Markus Golden and Matty Mauck are taking care of that end of things. Golden is emerging as potentially an all american on the defensive side and Mauck is a breath of fresh air under center. Let me explain, James Franklin was a capable quarterback. And most importantly in the big picture, a helluva solid young man. But Franklin was also very fragile and injury prone and would not even want to take so much as a tylenol. Players respect those teammates who are willing to go to battle with injuries, particularly the guy under center. It's just the way it is. Franklin never won over most the teams hearts. This team, this year would follow Matty Mauck to hell and back. I know this years schedule is not formidable in the non-con side. However the club can only play who is in front of them. I feel with time they will cease flying so much under the radar. I do know the club has been eyeballing this weeks battle with the Knights of Central Florida for some time. I would be stunned if they did not put on a good show back at home this saturday.
Here's the deal as I see it right now. They have a winnable game at home this week against the Knights. That would keep them clean at 3-0 with Indiana on deck. That is also at home and barring a breakdown they could easily be standing tall at 4-0 entering conference action. That is clearly where the rubber meets the road. The conference opener is a september 27th date at South Carolina. A tough venue and opponent. But not looking as daunting as it did a few weeks back. Consider if they depart Spurrier's house with a win that would set up a monster game back home against the Georgia Bulldogs. And keep in mind that Mizzou will have two weeks to prepare for the Bulldogs. Now, we all know how dicey it ca be to look too far ahead and Pinkel is doing his level best to keep the kids heads in the week by week thing. However, I think you can see how the table is set for the Tigers to possibly repeat last years success.
On the business side before I forget. I do have a college Triple Star loaded up and ready. I've released a two triples thus far in college ball and cashed on both. Week one with Ole Miss rolling Boise State and last week with Southern Cal getting the outright in Stanford. Last year we hit on 70% of the triples for the entire season and thankfully this year is off to another fast start out of the gate with them. I can also add that there is one NFL game in particular I love and should have it done and loaded in by tonight or in the morning. We hit on 83% of the NFL Triples last year and cashed last sunday easily with our initial pro triple as the Dolphins took care of business and got the outright over the Patriots.
Okay, I will be back with thoughts on Mizzou next week. Good luck with your action guys, enjoy the games!